I developed PN almost 20 yrs ago - I also have had lifelong high cholesterol My doctors have badgered me to take statins forever (although I have always felt they weren't the great silver bullet and probably would prove to have long term downsides, as they have) and I have tried several, and each and every time they made my neuropathy worse. I am sure it is different for everyone and my sister tolerates statins fine and has been on them forever. One surprise though - I had a heart cath last year to check my arteries, which everyone assumed would be blocked due to my off-the-chart cholesterol for decades - guess what? They were wide open! and my calcium score was -0-! I attribute it to oatmeal!! Good luck!

BOTH! It is a well known risk (not potential) for PN. Just do a quick Google search. I believed this pill pusher for 8 years and the last two every time I mentioned numbness, tingling, cold feeling in my hands, mostly my feet, she either changed the subject, said "it must be your nerves" or ignored the comment completely. Turns out I never had high cholesterol nor diabetes. Brenda Peart is the head Cardiologist for the Carondelet Medical Group in Tucson, Az. and after contacting 27 lawyers, in and out of state, no one would go up against her. She ruined my life and who knows how many others and will never be brought to justice. My confidence in the medical profession is forever changed. I know one bad apple doesn't make the whole tree bad but in a few years I may wind up in a wheel chair and I have to wake up to that prospect every morning. Believe what you want about inferred treatments, exercise, Gabapentin, etc. THERE IS NO CURE FOR PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY!

After several unsuccessful Statin prescriptions, my PCP suggested Red Yeast Rice 600mg capsules which I purchased at Sam's Club.

My LDL cholesterol was reduced from 110 to 90 after 30 days and I continue taking it until I achieve a 70 LDL reading.
Having 2 stents in the LCA is reason for the lower goal.

I QUIT STATINS, heard they cause the pain and took them for decades, just watch my diet without them. I do not know what my CHOLESTERAL IS NOW.
NO STATINS NO GLUCOPHAGE JUST MY INSULIN AND THE GABAPENTIN AND THE METANX...so far some of the pain is gone. Will see an MRI on FRIDAY to see if it is in my spine. M.

@margaretob I hope you,LL have good results I've tried so many that Iwent off b c of muscle pain but the one I'm on now doesn't bother me

Here's some Mayo Clinic information on statins and side effects that may be useful to read https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

I take pravastatin, and have taken statins for the past 20 years or so (lipitor, zocor, etc.). I am borderline and can control without taking them.

You may consider taking red yeast rice which is a natural Statin, but a lower dose. It works for many people. You also may know that you should be taking CQ10, preferably the ubiquinol form as statins deplete CQ10 which is concentrated in the heart muscle.